“得体”常见的英文表达有 appropriate、proper、tactful、decent 等,具体使用哪个词需根据语境来判断:
appropriate:侧重于表示符合特定场合、身份、目的等,是最常用、最通用的表达“得体”的词汇。例如:
It's not appropriate to wear jeans to a formal dinner.(穿牛仔裤去参加正式晚宴是不得体的。)
Your comments were completely appropriate given the situation.(考虑到当时的情况,你的评论完全得体。)
proper:强调符合规范、标准或传统习惯,有一种“正式、恰当”的意味。例如:
She always behaves in a proper manner.(她总是举止得体。)
It's proper to send a thank-you note after receiving a gift.(收到礼物后发一封感谢信是得体的做法。)
tactful:更侧重于指说话或做事时考虑周到、不冒犯他人,带有一种“机智、圆滑”的意味。例如:
He made a tactful suggestion that avoided embarrassing anyone.(他提出了一个得体的建议,避免了让任何人尴尬。)
It was tactful of her not to mention the divorce in front of the children.(她在孩子们面前不提离婚的事,真是很得体。)
decent:有“体面的、正派的、合适的”意思,常用来描述人的行为、穿着或事物的状态等。例如:
You should at least wear decent clothes to the interview.(你至少应该穿得体面的衣服去面试。)
It's decent of you to offer to help.(你主动提出帮忙,真是很得体。)